Title: Using artificial neural network with clustering techniques to predict the suspended sediment load

Authors: Abdelghafour Dellal; Abdelouahab Lefkir; Yamina Elmeddahi; Samir Bengherifa

Addresses: Department of Hydraulic, Civil Engineering and Architecture Faculty, University of Hassiba Benbouali, Chlef, Algeria; Vegetal Chemistry-Water-Energy Laboratory (LCV2E), Chlef, Algeria ' Algerian National School of Built and Ground Works Engineering (ENSTP), Alger, Algeria; LTPiTE Laboratory, Pb 32, City of Sidi Garidi Kouba, Algiers, Algeria ' Department of Hydraulic, Civil Engineering and Architecture Faculty, University of Hassiba Benbouali, Chlef, Algeria; Vegetal Chemistry-Water-Energy Laboratory (LCV2E), Chlef, Algeria ' Polytechnical National School, Alger, Algeria; Laboratory Construction and Environment, El Harrach, B.P. 16182, Alger, Algeria

Abstract: Rivers are natural water channels that are influenced by a variety of factors, including erosion and sedimentation, which have a detrimental impact on the ecosystem's health and water quality. Recently, researchers resorted to using an artificial neural network (ANN) to model the suspended sediment load. This study addressed the application of a multi-layer ANN model. Feed-forward with a backpropagation algorithm based on five different collection methods for the input data. To model the daily suspended sediment load in the Sacramento River, California, USA, current and delayed Ql flow discharge data and solid flow Qs data were used. The accuracy of the five methods was compared in 10 different input groups based on proficiency criteria: standard deviation ratio RSR, coefficient of determination R², percentage bias (PBIAS), and Nash-Sutcliffe efficacy (NSE). The ANN model with the k-mean clustering technique provides the best results. The RSR values varied between 0.30 to 0.42, and the R² values ranged from 0.82 to 0.91, while the range of NSE values was from 0.79 to 0.90.

Keywords: artificial neural network; ANN; clustering technique; flow discharge; suspended sediment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2025.144245

International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2025 Vol.19 No.2, pp.170 - 186

Received: 13 Oct 2023
Accepted: 22 Dec 2023
Published online: 03 Feb 2025 *

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